Subdiaphragmatic and intrathoracic paraspinal malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: a clinicopathologic study of 25 patients and 26 tumors

BACKGROUND: To determine the effects of anatomic site on the presentation and diagnosis of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs) and on the treatment and outcomes of the patients, the authors initiated a study of these tumors at different sites. An earlier report described MPNSTs of the buttock and lower extremity, and the current series analyzes those presenting at intrathoracic (IT) and subdiaphragmatic (SD) paraspinal sites. METHODS: The authors reviewed data on patients with paraspinal MPNSTs who were seen at Memorial Hospital during the period 1960-1995 and for whom histologic slides were available. Various clinicopathologic parameters and their effects on patient outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients with 26 tumors were evaluated. Seven tumors were IT and 19 were SD; 60% of the patients had neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Most patients presented with pain, and a diagnostic delay (of 3 months to 2 years) was often noted. Mean tumor sizes for SD and IT tumors were 14.3 cm and 6.6 cm, respectively. Most MPNSTs were composed of spindle cells in fascicles. Twenty-seven percent exhibited divergent differentiation. Twenty-four tumors were high grade, and a low grade component was identified in 8 tumors. Surgical resection was attempted for 23 tumors (88%), but complete resection was achieved in only 6 cases (23%). Eighty percent of the patients died of their tumors, 2-year and 5-year survival rates were 35% and 16%, and median survival was 8.5 months. Significant prognostic factors were tumor size <5 cm, the presence of a low grade component, and complete tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: Paraspinal MPNSTs have more aggressive behavior than peripherally located tumors, mainly because of the difficulty encountered in resecting them completely. Prognoses of patients with MPNST at this site appear to be affected by resection status, tumor size, and tumor grade.     

Malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in plant tissue cultures: LC-MS determination of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone derivatives

The cytologically active secondary lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) have been detected as their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazone (DNP) derivatives in plant tissue cultures using LC-MS. This paper reports, for the first time, the use of LC-MS methodology to definitively identify 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal in plants. Limits of detection for the two derivatives are approximately 5 pmol (1.2 x 10(-9) g; 1 microM) and 0.1 pmol (3 x 10(-11) g; 20 nM) respectively. Mass spectrometer response was linear in the range from 2-200 microM DNP-MDA and 0.02-10 microM DNP-HNE. This methodology has been used to assess the formation of aldehydic secondary lipid peroxidation products in dedifferentiated callus cultures of Daucus carota. The finding that profiles of MDA and HNE can be correlated with embryogenic competence is of considerable interest as oxidative status has already been implicated as a regulatory factor in animal development.     

Predictability of healing of ischemic leg ulcers by radioisotopic and Doppler ultrasonic examination

In a prospective study of twenty-six patients with ischemic ulcerations of the lower extremity, the predictive reliability with regard to spontaneous wound healing of diabetes, pedal pulses, ankle blood pressure (ABP) as measured by doppler ultrasound, and "leg ulcer scan" as performed by the intra-arterial injection of radioactive albumin was evaluated. The results suggest that only the leg ulcer scan is significantly reliable in predicting the likelihood of spontaneous healing. The following format for the evaluation of the ischemic leg ulcer is therefore suggested: (1) If pedal pulses are present, a three week trial of conservative therapy is indicated before further evaluation. (2) If the doppler ABP is 50 mm Hg or less, the ulcer will not heal spontaneously. (3) Leg ulcer scan is indicated: (a) in the absence of pedal pulses if ABP is less than 50 mm Hg; (b) in the presence of pedal pulses if there is no evidence of spontaneous healing after three weeks of conservative therapy.     

The stiff proximal interphalangeal joint

The anatomical factors causing stiffness at the proximal interphalangeal joint are considered, a rational approach to the surgical treatment is proposed, and the results in thirty joints are presented.     

Circulatory disturbances following transient soft tissue compression trauma

Circulatory changes following standardized compression trauma to the hind leg in dogs were evaluated using an electromagnetic flow meter and repeated angiography. A transient increase of flow to the injured limb and within the traumatized region was observed. Good agreement was found between the electromagnetic flow recordings and estimates of relative changes in flow by the angiographic method.     

Instrumental conditioning of human heart rate during free and controlled respiration

The effect of respiratory constraint on heart rate control was assessed in a biofeedback situation with feedback consisting of changes in both illumination level and intensity of pre-recorded baby's cry. Subjects were reinforced for alternately increasing and decreasing heart rate on each of seven days during which respiration was unconstrained (Phase 1). This phase was followed by eight days when respiration was constrained during training sessions with a control respirator (Phase 2). Seven additional days of training followed in the unconstrained situation (Phase 3). Results indicate that the control of heart rate in biofeedback situations is very closely related to respiratory and other somatic activity. The implication of these findings for the field of visceral control is discussed.